Wearable Communications Node with Mesh Networking Capabilities

This application claims is continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/749,129, filed May 19, 2022, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appl. Ser. No. 63/190,449, filed May 19, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

The present invention relates generally to communications nodes and specifically to wearable communications nodes with mesh networking capabilities.

Data communication networks may include various, hubs, switches, routers, and other network devices, interconnected and configured to handle data as it passes through the network. These devices will be referred to herein as “network elements.” Data is communicated through the data communication network by passing data packets (or cells, frames, or segments) between the network elements by utilizing one or more communication links. A particular packet may be handled by multiple network elements and cross multiple communication links as it travels between its source and its destination over the network. Links may be formed over physical structures, such as copper cables and optical fibers, or over wireless links formed using infra-red transmissions or transmissions in a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Network elements can be used to form a wireless mesh network. One characteristic of a mesh network is that in a mesh network there are generally multiple paths through the network that a given user may employ to reach the access point. By allowing traffic to hop from user to user, instead of requiring wireless transmission to take place directly between the user and an access point, it is possible to provide enhanced signal quality to users, especially where the signal may be impeded due to obstacles and other naturally occurring signal impediments. In a mesh network, an access point serves as a connection between the mesh network and a higher bandwidth communication resource, and relay points in the mesh network handle traffic for themselves and for neighboring users.

One example of a mesh network is an 802.11b access mesh. If a set of users in close geographical proximity are equipped with 802.11b cards, they can communicate with other users in a series of hops until reaching an access point of the mesh network. Typically, the access point is connected to a fixed network using a point-to-point link such as an optical fiber, copper loop, or via another wireless transmission. Due to latency and system complexity the number of wireless router hops is typically kept to some maximum, for example six. This limits the area of coverage of a wireless mesh network to a “cluster” or neighborhood community, the clusters being connected to the fixed network via the access points. Additional access points may be added to reduce the number of hops between users and access points, and hence to reduce latency and an amount of occupied bandwidth on the mesh.

1 FIG.A 1 FIG.A 10 10 1 14 An example of a conventional arrangement of wireless meshes is shown in. Another example of a wireless mesh network is given in US Patent application publication no. US 2002/0159409 A1, the content of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. In the example illustrated in, a number of different mesh networksare shown, each of which may be on the scale of a neighborhood. Each mesh networkhas a number of relay pointsconnected together and configured to handle traffic on the mesh. For example, each household in a neighborhood may be a relay point in the mesh network, the relay points being interconnected using 802.11b wireless links. It is noted that there may be further 802.11b devices communicating with a given relay point's location, such as in a Local Area Network (LAN) or Personal Area Network (PAN). These devices use the same technology as the relay point, can communicate with other relay points, and are considered part of the same mesh network.

1 FIG.A 1 FIG.B 10 16 18 20 20 16 18 18 22 24 20 22 10 20 In the example illustrated in, each mesh networkhas an access pointconnected to a higher bandwidth communication resource such as a LAN base stationvia a first tier backhaul link. The backhaul linksmay be formed using a conventional point-to-point or point-to-multipoint wireless or wireline technology. In either instance, there is a single path from each access pointto the LAN base station. In the example shown in, the LAN base stationis connected via second tier wired or wireless backhaul link(s)to further networking equipment, such as a central office. Due to the large number of first tier backhaul links, the full capacity of the first tier backhaul links may not be utilized. Indeed, depending on network architecture, the first tier backhaul links may be required to carry as little as 5% of their available capacity to prevent the call blocking ratio on the secondary backhaul linkfrom becoming onerous. This underutilization of the first tier backhaul links represents an over-provisioning in the first tier backhaul network which is necessary, given the limited geographical range of the mesh networksbeing served by the first tier backhaul links.

Hand-held (i.e. portable) communications systems, such as walkie-talkies and other portable radio transceivers, are used by military personnel, law enforcement officials, first responders, as well as civilians. However, such systems typically utilize one or more conspicuous antennas, such as whip antennas, which typically consist of a straight flexible metal wire or rod embedded in polymer material. The bottom end of whip antennas are communicatively coupled to the transceiver of the handheld communications system. Whip antennas are typically designed to be flexible to reduce breaking. However, such antennas are increasingly deployed in environments where identification of the communications personnel and/or their locations may not be desired (e.g., military theaters and clandestine operations). Even more, such antennas are typically vulnerable to entanglement in foliage or debris, and damage in disaster and emergency, as well as high population density environments. Therefore, a mesh networking wearable communications system with antennas that are not vulnerable to entanglement would be beneficial to consumers.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

Certain terminology may be employed in the following description for convenience rather than for any limiting purpose. For example, the terms “forward” and “rearward,” “front” and “rear,” “right” and “left,” “upper” and “lower,” and “top” and “bottom” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made, with the terms “inward,” “inner,” “interior,” or “inboard” and “outward,” “outer,” “exterior,” or “outboard” referring, respectively, to directions toward and away from the center of the referenced element, the terms “radial” or “horizontal” and “axial” or “vertical” referring, respectively, to directions or planes which are perpendicular, in the case of radial or horizontal, or parallel, in the case of axial or vertical, to the longitudinal central axis of the referenced element, the terms “proximate” and “distal” referring, respectively, to positions or locations that are close or away from a point of reference, and the terms “downstream” and “upstream” referring, respectively, to directions in and opposite that of fluid flow. Terminology of similar import other than the words specifically mentioned above likewise is to be considered as being used for purposes of convenience rather than in any limiting sense.

In the figures, elements having an alphanumeric designation may be referenced herein collectively or in the alternative, as will be apparent from context, by the numeric portion of the designation only. Further, the constituent parts of various elements in the figures may be designated with separate reference numerals which shall be understood to refer to that constituent part of the element and not the element as a whole. General references, along with references to spaces, surfaces, dimensions, and extents, may be designated with arrows. Angles may be designated as “included” as measured relative to surfaces or axes of an element and as defining a space bounded internally within such element therebetween, or otherwise without such designation as being measured relative to surfaces or axes of an element and as defining a space bounded externally by or outside of such element therebetween. Generally, the measures of the angles stated are as determined relative to a common axis, which axis may be transposed in the figures for purposes of convenience in projecting the vertex of an angle defined between the axis and a surface which otherwise does not extend to the axis. The term “axis” may refer to a line or to a transverse plane through such line as will be apparent from context.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the instant disclosure may be embodied as a system, method or computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the instant disclosure may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.” Furthermore, aspects of the instant disclosure may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer-readable medium(s) having computer-readable program code/instructions embodied thereon.

Any combination of computer-readable media may be utilized. Computer-readable media may be a computer-readable signal medium or a computer-readable storage medium. A computer-readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of a computer-readable storage medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer-readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

A computer-readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with computer-readable program code embodied therein, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer-readable signal medium may be any computer-readable medium that is not a computer-readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer-readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the present invention may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object-oriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on a user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a LAN or WAN, or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).

Aspects of the present invention are described below with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The instant disclosure relates generally to communications nodes and specifically to wearable communications nodes (hereinafter “WCN”) with mesh networking capabilities. The instant disclosure seeks to provide WCNs that include antenna elements that have a reduced visual signature. The instant disclosure further seeks to provide antenna elements that are flexible and foldable and can substantially conform to the contours of the user without a statistically significant (e.g., greater than 0.5 dB) loss in performance.

Data communication networks may include various, hubs, switches, routers, and other network devices, interconnected and configured to handle data as it passes through the network. These devices will be referred to herein as “network elements.” Data is communicated through the data communication network by passing data packets (or cells, frames, or segments) between the network elements by utilizing one or more communication links. A particular packet may be handled by multiple network elements and cross multiple communication links as it travels between its source and its destination over the network. Links may be formed over physical structures, such as copper cables and optical fibers, or over wireless links formed using infra-red transmissions or transmissions in a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Network elements can be used to form a wireless mesh network. One characteristic of a mesh network is that in a mesh network there are generally multiple paths through the network that a given user may employ to reach the access point. By allowing traffic to hop from user to user, instead of requiring wireless transmission to take place directly between the user and an access point, it is possible to provide enhanced signal quality to users, especially where the signal may be impeded due to obstacles and other naturally occurring signal impediments. In a mesh network, an access point serves as a connection between the mesh network and a higher bandwidth communication resource, and relay points in the mesh network handle traffic for themselves and for neighboring users.

One example of a mesh network is an 802.11b access mesh. If a set of users in close geographical proximity are equipped with 802.11b cards, they can communicate with other users in a series of hops until reaching an access point of the mesh network. Typically, the access point is connected to a fixed network using a point-to-point link such as an optical fiber, copper loop, or via another wireless transmission. Due to latency and system complexity the number of wireless router hops is typically kept to some maximum, for example six. This limits the area of coverage of a wireless mesh network to a “cluster” or neighborhood community, the clusters being connected to the fixed network via the access points. Additional access points may be added to reduce the number of hops between users and access points, and hence to reduce latency and an amount of occupied bandwidth on the mesh.

1 FIG.A 1 FIG.A 10 10 1 14 An example of a conventional arrangement of wireless meshes is shown in. Another example of a wireless mesh network is given in US Patent application publication no. US 2002/0159409 A1, the content of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. In the example illustrated in, a number of different mesh networksare shown, each of which may be on the scale of a neighborhood. Each mesh networkhas a number of relay pointsconnected together and configured to handle traffic on the mesh. For example, each household in a neighborhood may be a relay point in the mesh network, the relay points being interconnected using 802.11b wireless links. It is noted that there may be further 802.11b devices communicating with a given relay point's location, such as in a LAN or Personal Area Network (PAN). These devices use the same technology as the relay point, can communicate with other relay points, and are considered part of the same mesh network.

1 FIG.A 1 FIG.B 10 16 18 20 20 16 18 18 22 24 20 22 10 20 In the example illustrated in, each mesh networkhas an access pointconnected to a higher bandwidth communication resource such as a Wide Area Network (LAN) base stationvia a first tier backhaul link. The backhaul linksmay be formed using a conventional point-to-point or point-to-multipoint wireless or wireline technology. In either instance, there is a single path from each access pointto the LAN base station. In the example shown in, the LAN base stationis connected via second tier wired or wireless backhaul link(s)to further networking equipment, such as a central office. Due to the large number of first tier backhaul links, the full capacity of the first tier backhaul links may not be utilized. Indeed, depending on network architecture, the first tier backhaul links may be required to carry as little as 5% of their available capacity to prevent the call blocking ratio on the secondary backhaul linkfrom becoming onerous. This underutilization of the first tier backhaul links represents an over-provisioning in the first tier backhaul network which is necessary, given the limited geographical range of the mesh networksbeing served by the first tier backhaul links.

Hand-held (i.e. portable) communications systems, such as walkie-talkies and other portable radio transceivers, are used by military personnel, law enforcement officials, first responders, as well as civilians. However, such systems typically utilize one or more conspicuous antennas, such as whip antennas, which typically consist of a straight flexible metal wire or rod embedded in polymer material. The bottom end of whip antennas are communicatively coupled to the transceiver of the handheld communications system. Whip antennas are typically designed to be flexible to reduce breaking. However, such antennas are increasingly deployed in environments where identification of the communications personnel and/or their locations may not be desired (e.g., military theaters and clandestine operations). Even more, such antennas are typically vulnerable to entanglement in foliage or debris, and damage in disaster and emergency, as well as high population density environments. Therefore, a mesh networking wearable communications system with antennas that are not vulnerable to entanglement would be beneficial to consumers.

1 10 FIGS.B- 1 2 FIGS.B and 100 101 100 100 115 125 100 101 100 101 102 101 Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the Figures. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the Figures.illustrate a WCNas worn by a useras well as in various views (e.g., front, rear, side, perspective, etc.). Note that for three and two digit reference numbers the first and first two digits, respectively, reflect the Figure in which the element was first depicted. The WCNis a wearable communications device with embedded antenna elements and mesh networking capabilities. As reflected in, the WCNincludes at least one shoulder strappivotably attached to an enclosure, which allows the WCNto be worn by the user. In other words, the WCNis configured to be worn on the torso of the user. A shoulder areaof the useris also depicted.

125 100 305 101 310 101 415 420 130 405 115 100 101 1300 500 310 304 415 420 The enclosure(and hence, the WCN) includes a top area(positioned proximate the neck/head area of the user), a bottom area(positioned proximate the lower back area of the user), a left side, a right side, a front panel, and a back panel. These components as well as the shoulder strapare ideally fabricated using textile materials. A primary requirement of the WCNwater-resistance to IP65 or higher. Applicable textile materials should be flexible enough to conform to the contours of the useras well as a housingand include, but are limited to, water-proof textiles, textiles that can be water-proofed using a chemical solution known in the art, foams, functional textiles (e.g., EMI shielding layers) and similar textile materials. For example, canvas waterproof oxford fabrics, denier, polyester, Cardura, and similar waterproof fabrics. To be sure, the bottom areais positioned opposite the top areaand the left sideis positioned opposite the right side.

130 405 The front paneland the back panelare peripherally affixed together via bonding (e.g., via polymer adhesive, heat, pressure, other bonding techniques or a combination of two or more thereof), sewing, use of fasteners (e.g., screws, staples, bolts), or a combination of two or more thereof to each other to achieve a protection of IP65 or higher. IP Code or Ingress Protection Code is defined in IEC 60529 which classifies and provides a guideline to the degree of protection provided by mechanical casings and electrical enclosures against intrusion, dust, accidental contact, and water. The first digit indicates the level of protection that the enclosure provides against access to hazardous parts (e.g., electrical conductors, moving parts) and the ingress of solid foreign objects. Here, a level sized “6” indicates no ingress of dust and a complete protection against contact (dust-tight).

130 405 1605 1515 1300 115 125 106 125 115 13 21 FIGS.- The second digit indicates the level of protection that the enclosure provides against harmful ingress of water. Here, level “5” indicates that protection against at least water jets for 1 minute per square meter for at least 3 minutes at a water volume of 12.5 liters per minute and a pressure of 30 kPa (4.4 psi) at a distance of 3 meters (9.8 ft.). The front paneland the back panelare further affixed to a front portionand a rear portion, respectively, of a housing(as reflected inand described in further detail below) via bonding (e.g., via polymer adhesive, heat, pressure, other bonding techniques or a combination of two or more thereof), sewing, use of fasteners (e.g., screws, staples, bolts), or a combination of two or more thereof to each other to achieve a protection of IP65 or higher. The shoulder strapsare each pivotably attached proximate to a corner of the enclosure. A least one antenna elementis affixed to at least one of the enclosureand the shoulder strap.

2 5 8 FIGS.-and 125 140 115 305 805 1300 110 101 115 101 115 140 101 805 115 125 115 110 As reflected in, the enclosureincludes an overlap elementthat horizontally extends between the shoulder strapsand vertically extends from the top areaand at least partially shields the control panelof a housing(discussed below) from view when the WCNis worn by the user. Specifically, when the shoulder strapsare worn on the shoulder of the user, the shoulder strapsorient the overlap elementtowards the upper back of the userand thereby help to shield the control panelfrom the view of others. To be sure, the shoulder strapcan include multiple textile layers positioned on each other or simply one textile layer that can maintain structural integrity despite the load of the enclosurethat weighs thereon. Alternatively, the shoulder strapcan replaced via b-rings, loops, webbing, hook-and-loop, or other attachment points that allow the WCNto be demountably attached to a backpack, plate carrier, or other compatible objects and apparel items. For example, such attachment points can be made of metal, polymers, paracord, elastic, and/or cording.

106 115 115 101 106 101 106 101 115 101 115 1120 1115 106 1110 115 106 115 1300 11 FIG. For example, embodiments that include an antenna elementpositioned in or on the shoulder strap, the shoulder strapcan include EMI shielding materials (e.g., foils, meshes, foams, conductive textiles) positioned between the userand the antenna elementto thereby at least partially shield the userfrom EM radiation that emanates from the antenna elementaway from the user surface (i.e. the user).illustrates a cross-section of the shoulder strappositioned near the user, in accordance with other embodiments. Here, the shoulder strapincludes a plurality of layers; namely, a front strap panel, a rear strap panel, the antenna element, and an EMI shielding layer. In embodiments that the shoulder strapdoes not include an antenna element, the shoulder strapcan be include just one panel. In certain embodiments, the housingincludes the aforementioned attachment points positioned on its exterior to allow for direct demountable attachment to a backpack, plate carrier, or other compatible objects, structures, and/or apparel items.

115 1120 1115 106 106 1120 1115 106 110 1116 1115 101 1121 1120 101 1110 1115 106 106 101 The shoulder strapincludes a front strap paneland a rear strap panelperipherally affixed together to thereby form a layered structure in which the antenna element(and possible additional layers) is positioned. In other words, the antenna elementis positioned between the front strap paneland the rear strap panel. Note the layered structure has a protection of IP65 or higher to ensure protection of the antenna element. When the WCNis worn, an external surfaceof the rear strap panelis positioned proximate to and oriented towards the user. Similarly, an external surfaceof the front strap panelis oriented away from the user. At least the EMI shielding layeris positioned between the rear strap paneland the antenna elementto thereby reflect EM radiation that emanates from the antenna elementaway from the user. For example, a foam textile layer may also be positioned therebetween to increase user comfort.

100 100 100 1300 125 1300 100 1300 1605 1515 1405 1410 1140 1605 101 1515 101 1405 101 1410 1300 1415 1605 1420 130 1300 1300 13 FIG. 14 16 FIGS.A-A Turning now to the internal electrical components of the WCN.depicts a block diagram of the WCN, in accordance with yet still other embodiments. The WCNincludes the housingrigidly affixed (e.g., via bonding, screws, staples, bolts, and/or similar fasteners) within the enclosure. The housingprotects the electrical components of the WCNagainst water, dust, particles to a protection of IP65 or higher. As reflected in, the housingis a rigid and hollow structure (e.g., made of polymer, such as Nylon, PLA, ABS, resin, or other non-electrically conductive thermally stable material) that includes a front portion, a rear portion, a top end, a bottom end, and angular sides. The front portionis oriented away from and positioned distal to the user. The rear portionis oriented towards and positioned proximate the user. The top endis positioned proximate to a shoulder area of the user. The bottom endis positioned distal to the shoulder area and opposite the top end. The housingincludes an openingthat is positioned on the front portionthat allows access to an internal environment. The housingcan be manufactured using additive manufacturing, molding, milling, casting, and similar manufacturing processes. Although the housingis depicted as a single unit, the housingcan include multiple components that are pieces together to form the final product depicted in the figures.

1420 1330 1325 1315 1305 1320 1350 1335 1310 1310 1310 1420 1300 1315 1315 1315 100 1330 The internal environmentincludes one or more of a charging port, an output device, a battery, a communications device, a geolocation device, an audio port, and a video porteach conductively coupled to a control circuit. To be sure, the control circuitcan be multiple control circuits that work together to perform one or more steps, processes, and/or functions disclosed in the instant application. The control circuitcan be any control circuit known in the art capable of performing one or more steps, processes, and/or functions disclosed in the instant application. Each of the aforementioned components are rigidly affixed within the internal environment(i.e. the housing). The batteryincludes one or more electrochemical cells to generate electrical energy. The batterycan be a primary or a secondary battery. The batterycan be recharged via connecting an external power source to the WCNvia the charging port.

1330 100 100 1430 1430 1405 1300 1410 1430 1325 1325 1350 1335 1330 1905 a b The charging portis a physical connector known in the art that mates with another connector (usually a type of plug on the end of a cable) to electrically connect the WCNto an external power source (e.g., an electrical outlet, portable electric generator, battery pack, and similar external power sources known in the art). In certain embodiments, the WCNincludes an inductive charging element to facilitate wireless power transfer. The control panelis a flat area that includes control instruments and interface elements. Although the control panelis depicted as positioned on or proximate to the top end, the component can be positioned at or proximate to other locations on the housing(e.g., the side or the bottom end. The control panelallows access to an output device(e.g., a battery power indicator LED), an output device(e.g., a network status indicator LED), the audio port, the video port, the charging port, and a power switch. Note, the battery power indicator LED can convey the percentage of power that remains in the battery (e.g., 10%, 25%, etc.) and/or a low power status.

1305 1305 110 110 1305 1305 106 The communications deviceis a computing device that wirelessly transmits and receives information (i.e. data) using a wireless communications protocol known in the art or compatible with an embodiment of the instant disclosure. In other words, the communications deviceallows the WCNto establish a communications network (e.g., a mesh communications network) with one or more other devices (e.g., the WCNsas well as other communications devices with and/or without mesh networking capabilities). In certain embodiments, the communications deviceincludes a plurality of devices that work together to perform one or more communications tasks disclosed in the instant application. The communications deviceis conductively coupled to and preferably communicates via one or more antenna elements(e.g., send and/or receive data modulated via one or more communications protocols known in the art).

1306 1310 1306 110 The communications devicecan communicate via one or more communication protocols known in the art (or compatible therewith) that include, but are not limited to, UHF, VHF, Long-Term Evolution (LTE), 3G, standards based on GSM/EDGE and/or UMTS/HSPA, Wi-Fi, IEEE 802.11 standards, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), LAN protocols, WAN protocols, Bluetooth®, microwave, and similar wireless communications protocols. The control circuitis configured to establish, via the communications device, a self-organizing LAN with a plurality of computing devices (e.g., other WCNas well as other communications devices) that each connects directly, dynamically, and non-hierarchically to the LAN (i.e., establish a mesh network).

106 1305 106 101 106 106 106 106 The antenna elementis an electrically conductive object that is utilized via the communications deviceto wirelessly transmit and receive information (i.e. radio waves), according to preferred embodiments. The antenna elementpreferably substantially conforms to the contours of the torso of the user. In order to do so, the antenna elementis preferably a planar, flexible, and bendable structure that has a reduced visual signature (e.g., less than 2 mm thick). The antenna elementcan be an antenna array (e.g., a plurality of antenna elementsinterconnected to work together as a single antenna to transmit or receive radio waves). For example, the antenna array can be configured as a phased array to enable directional RF signal transmission or reception. The antenna elementis formed (e.g., via printing, molding, coating, and similar deposition techniques) using a conductive composition that includes a polymer(s) and fully exfoliated single sheets of graphene.

The fully exfoliated single sheets of graphene preferably form a three-dimensional percolated network within the polymer(s), which yields superior conductivity for the composition compared to un-percolated compositions that may rely more on the conductivity of the polymer and/or an electrically conductive addictive. The fully exfoliated single sheets of graphene are separated on a nanoscale within the polymer(s). The fully exfoliated single sheets of graphene are about 1 nm thick and substantially planar. In certain embodiments, the fully exfoliated single sheets of graphene have surface imperfection (i.e. “wrinkles” or “kinks”) resulting from the presence of lattice defects in, or by chemical functionalization of the two-dimensional hexagonal lattice structure of the basal plane. Applicable polymers include, but are not limited to, polyethylene terephthalate, acrylic, rayon, aramid, modacrylic, spandex, nylon, olefin, polyester, saran, sulfur, polypropylene, polyethylene, elastane, and similar polymers.

2 In preferred embodiments, the fully exfoliated graphene sheets (i.e. the graphene sheets) as well as the conductive composition are generated as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,658,901 B2 by Prud'Homme et al; U.S. Pat. No. 8,278,757 B2 by Crain; US Patent Pub. No. 2011/0189452 A1 by Lettow et al.; and US Patent Pub. No. 2014/0050903 A1 by Lettow et al., which are each hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. The fully exfoliated graphene sheets preferably have a surface area of about 2,630 m/g to promote a low percolation threshold of, for example, 0.52 vol. %. To be sure, neither carbon nanotubes (e.g., SWCNT or MWCNT) nor graphite are substitutions of the aforementioned fully exfoliated graphene sheets due the different inherit structural, electrical, and mechanical properties of the materials. For example, the fully exfoliated graphene sheets have a platy (e.g., two-dimensional) structure as opposed to the three-dimensional structure of carbon nanotubes and graphite, which results in higher percolation thresholds.

110 110 1320 110 1320 1325 1325 1345 1305 1320 1325 1300 1420 In other embodiments, the WCNtransmits its location data to at least one other WCNin the network. The geolocation deviceis a computing device that is capable of receiving information from one or more satellite navigation systems and then calculate the geographical position of the WCN. Using suitable software the geolocation devicemay communicate the position on an output device (e.g., the output device) and it may offer routing directions. The output deviceis computer hardware known in the art that communicates information (e.g., stored in the files, received and/or generated via the communications deviceor the geolocation device) into a human-perceptible form (e.g., text, graphics, tactile, audio, or video). The output deviceis at least partially externally positioned on the enclosure to be viewable by the user without necessitating the user to open the housingto access the internal environment(e.g., the control panel).

1325 1310 1325 1325 110 110 110 101 110 110 1360 13 FIG.B When present, the output deviceis communicatively coupled to the control circuit. For example, to operate in extreme conditions (e.g., environments having abnormal temperatures and/or increase probability of physical impact events), the output devicecan be a light-emitting diode (LED), which have a low power consumption requirements, long lifetimes, and enhanced physical robustness, and a small footprint. The output devicecan be used to convey to the user whether the WCNsuccessfully networked with another copy of the WCN.illustrates the operational steps of the WCNto generate and convey notifications, in accordance with some embodiments. For example, the useractivates the WCNand attempts to establish a network (e.g., LAN, wireless mesh network, or similar communications topology) with a computing device (e.g., a WCN). At Step, a first notification is generated when the WAN is established.

1370 1380 1305 1325 1390 1305 1325 At Step, a second notification is generated when the LAN is not established. At Step, the first notification is conveyed via the output device. For example, the output devicecan be a multicolored light-emitting diode (LED), which is activated to display a first color (e.g., green) to convey that the LAN is established. At Step, the second notification is conveyed via the output device. For example, the output devicecan be activated to display a second color (e.g., red) to convey that the LAN is not established.

110 1340 1310 1345 1305 1320 1345 1340 In certain embodiments, the WCNincludes a data storecommunicatively coupled to the control circuitthat includes a files. Information generated and/or received via the communications deviceand/or the geolocationcan be stored in files. To be sure, the data storeis a repository known in the art (or compatible therewith) for persistently storing and managing collections of data which include repositories (e.g., databases and similar data structures) as well as simpler data store types (e.g., simple files, emails etc.).

1350 1335 1310 1350 1335 1355 An audio portand/or a video portcan be conductively coupled to the control circuit. The audio portand the video portare electrical or optical connectors known in the art for carrying audio and video signals, respectively, received from an audio/video source(e.g., a handheld radio, video camera, computing device that generates audio and/or video signals, communications devices that generates audio and/or video signals, etc.).

1300 1420 1605 1515 1420 101 110 106 1605 1515 110 106 16 16 FIGS.B andC Returning now to the discussion of the housing, which houses the aforementioned electronic devices. The internal environmentis positioned between the front portionand the rear portion. Although the internal environmentis shown as being substantially rectangular in shape, the component can have any shape that facilitates one or more embodiments of the instant disclosure (e.g., oval, oblong, square, polygonal, other shapes, or a combination of two or more thereof). Turning now to, which depict a top view of the userwearing the WCNon their back and the associated RF radiation pattern associated with each angle of the antenna elements. The front portionis smaller in width relative to the rear portion. The WCNperformance characteristics, and hence those of the network, increase as the device achieves a 360° RF radiation pattern; however, such coverage is frustrated when the antenna elementsare not positioned and oriented in a manner to substantially achieve the 360° antenna coverage.

106 115 1300 1440 1605 1515 1440 1615 106 1440 1515 106 1620 101 1630 1515 120 1300 305 1420 16 FIG.B 16 FIG.C To achieve the 360° RF radiation pattern with the antenna elementsthat are positioned in the shoulder strap, the housingincludes at least one (ideally two) angular sideis coupled to (i.e. connects) the front portionand the rear portion, which are oriented substantially parallel to each other. The angular sideincludes an antenna slotpositioned within that holds at least one antenna element. As shown in, the angular sideis oriented at an angle of about 35° to 65° (+/−3°) relative to the rear portionto thereby allow the antenna elementto transmit or receive a greater amount of EM radiation behind the user compared to an angle of about 90°, as depicted in. Here, an increased portion of a beam width(oriented at an angle of about 35° to 65° (+/−3°)) is projected behind the usercompared to beam width(oriented at an angle of about) 90°. To be sure, the rear portionincludes a cooling panelthat is made of a metal (e.g., aluminum) and is demountably affixed to the housingvia one or more demountable fastenersand thereby covers the internal environment.

120 125 1420 120 106 1300 101 101 1300 405 125 1300 405 1207 125 1300 106 101 405 1203 1205 1207 1209 1207 1300 12 FIG. The cooling panelis partially exposed to the ambient environment of the enclosureand thermally couples the internal environmentto the ambient environment and thereby functions as a heatsink to bleed heat generated within the internal environment therefrom. As a metal object, the cooling panelcan partially block the rear RF radiation that emanates from the antenna element(s)of the housing. Such blockage must be addressed to substantially achieve the 360° RF radiation pattern discussed above. Health risks to the usershould also be taken in to consideration. For example, the usershould be at least partially shielded from EM radiation that emanates from the housing. For example, as the back panelof the enclosureis positioned between the torso and the housing, the back panelcan include one or more EMI shielding layersthat reflects (blocks, absorbs, and/or shields) EM radiation (e.g., such as RF radiation) that emanates from the enclosure(i.e. the housingthat includes the antenna element) away from the user. As shown in, the back panelcan be a multilayered structure that includes an external layerpositioned proximate to a cushion layer, which is positioned proximate an EMI shielding layer. Internal componentsare positioned proximate to the EMI shielding layerand can at least include the housingand its components.

1300 1435 110 1315 1315 1300 1425 1315 1420 1505 1425 1410 1505 1425 1510 110 The housingcan include one or more cable glands(e.g., an IP 67 rated cable gland). To increase the performance time of the WCNand avoid downtimes due to charging the battery, the batteryshould be replaceable. For example, the housingcan include a battery access portthat receives the batteryinto the internal environmentand is covered by a port covering. The battery access portcan be positioned proximate to the bottom endor any location that satisfies one or more embodiments of the instant disclosure. The port coveringis demountably secured to the battery access portvia one or more demountable fasteners. To be sure, all seals of the WCNshould be formed in a manner to have a protection rating of IP65 or higher.

22 27 FIGS.- 101 110 1350 1350 2200 2200 2200 1300 2200 2205 2230 2235 2330 2505 2200 2210 2200 2225 2235 2220 2230 2225 2215 2230 1350 2200 2220 2200 115 2305 Turning now to. To facilitate communications, the usershould be able to communicate via the WCNwith or without the use of a headset known in the art or compatible therewith. For example, a headset can be directly conductively coupled to the audio portfor audio communications or conductively coupled to the audio portvia the audio hub. To be sure, the audio hubcan include more or less components than depicted or disclosed herein and the positioning of such components can vary compared to those depicted or disclosed herein. The audio hubcan be manufactured using the same materials and processes as those of the housingas well as have a protection of IP65 or higher. The audio hubincludes a main body, which includes a top area, a bottom area, a front area, and a rear area. The audio hubcan be a single unit or multiple elements/components combined to form a single unit. A button(e.g., a push-to-talk button) is positioned on a side of the audio hubto provide push-to-talk capabilities (i.e. press the button to enable audio transmission). A volume knobis positioned proximate to the bottom area. An audio portis positioned proximate to the top areaopposite the volume knob. A cableis positioned proximate to the top areato facilitate its connection to the audio port. The headset connects to the audio hubwhich connects to the audio port. The audio hubdemountably attaches to the shoulder strapvia a demountable fastener(e.g., a clip or similar demountable fastener).

28 FIG. 100 2800 2900 2800 2900 2800 2900 depicts a block diagram of components of the WCN, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Data processing system,is representative of any electronic device capable of executing machine-readable program instructions. Data processing system,may be representative of a smart phone, a computer system, PDA, or other electronic devices. Examples of computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may represented by data processing system,include, but are not limited to, personal computer systems, server computer systems, thin clients, thick clients, wearable computer, handheld or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, network PCs, minicomputer systems, and distributed cloud computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices.

100 2800 2900 2800 2820 2822 2824 2826 2828 2830 1345 2830 2820 2822 2830 2830 2824 28 FIG. 28 FIG. The WCNincludes respective sets of internal componentsand external componentsas illustrated in. Each of the sets of internal componentsincludes one or more processors, one or more computer-readable RAMsand one or more computer-readable ROMson one or more buses, and one or more operating systemsand one or more computer-readable tangible storage devices. The filesare stored on one or more of the respective computer-readable tangible storage devicesfor execution by one or more of processorsvia one or more of the respective RAMs(which typically include cache memory). In the embodiment illustrated in, each of the computer-readable tangible storage devicesis a magnetic disk storage device of an internal hard drive. Alternatively, each of the computer-readable tangible storage devicesis a semiconductor storage device, such as ROM, EPROM, flash memory or any other computer-readable tangible storage device that can store a computer program and digital information.

2800 2832 2936 1345 2936 2832 2830 Internal componentsalso include a R/W drive or interfaceto read from and write to one or more portable computer-readable tangible storage devices, such as a CD-ROM, DVD, memory stick, magnetic tape, magnetic disk, optical disk or semiconductor storage device. The filescan be stored on one or more of the respective portable computer-readable tangible storage devices, read via the respective R/W drive or interfaceand loaded into the respective computer-readable tangible storage devices.

2800 2836 1345 100 2836 2836 1345 100 2830 Each set of internal componentsalso includes network adapters or interfacessuch as a TCP/IP adapter cards, wireless Wi-Fi interface cards, or 3G or 4G wireless interface cards or other wired or wireless communication links. The filescan be downloaded to the WCN, respectively, from an external computer via a network (for example, the Internet, a local area network or other, wide area network) and respective network adapters or interfaces. From the network adapters or interfaces, the filesand the WCNare loaded into the respective computer-readable tangible storage devices. The network may comprise copper wires, optical fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers.

2900 2920 2930 2934 2900 2800 2840 2920 2930 2934 2840 2832 2836 2830 2824 Each of the sets of external componentscan include a computer display monitor, a keyboard, and a computer mouse. External componentscan also include touch screens, virtual keyboards, touch pads, pointing devices, and other human interface devices. Internal componentsalso include device driversto interface to computer display monitor, keyboardand computer mouse. The device drivers, R/W drive or interfaceand network adapters or interfacescomprise hardware and software (stored in storage deviceand/or ROM).

Computer program code for carrying out operations of the present invention may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a LAN or WAN, or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, though the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

Based on the foregoing, computer system, method and program product have been disclosed in accordance with the present invention. However, numerous modifications and substitutions can be made without deviating from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention has been disclosed by way of example and not limitation. As various modifications could be made in the constructions and methods herein described and illustrated without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents.